Hyundai World Championships LIVE after long weather delay
by Sail-World NZ/Hyundai Worlds media 3 Dec 23:28 NZDT
3 December 2019
49er World Championships, Auckland, December 3 - 8, 2019 © Jesus Renedo / Sailing Energy
The breeze has been blowing the dogs off chains at the first day of racing in the Hyundai 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Worlds.
The breeze blew 25-30kts from the north (onshore) for most of the day before swinging to the west and cracking in with gusts of over 70kts being recorded on Auckland's West Coast. The crews from the 49er FX and Nacra 17 classes were dismissed for the day at around 3.00pm.
After the front passed through, the rain subsided and the sun shone for the first time all day. At 3:30 local the the breeze has settled down to 8-10 knots and offshore.
Regatta officials deemed the conditions are to be raceable after the front passed. The regatta began with all three fleets of 49er teams racing.
Tune in now for coverage of all three fleets via 49er.org/live, for those who have purchased passes for Sidelineapp.com - it is working well and you have a choice of three courses - and can watch live or in replay. New Zealand fans can see the racing on the course of the day via Sky TV. Olympic Gold and Silver medalist Rod Davis is on the commentary team for the Sky TV coverage along with America's Cup sailor, and very experienced sailing commentator, Peter Lester. On the Sidelineapp.com broadcast three commentary teams are operating covering a course each.
The Hyundai 49er, 49erFX and Nacra World Championships have attracted 402 sailors from 40 countries, sailing on ten available course areas on the Waitemata Harbour.
It is a high-stakes regatta hosted by Royal Akarana Yacht Club December 3 - 8. 15 or more countries are still trying to secure Olympic qualification and others, who have already earned a place at next year's Tokyo Games, will use the series to decide who will represent them in Japan in 2020.
New Zealand sailing's A-listers, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, are champing to get ou and start collecting points towards their fifth world title and Olympic selection in the 49er skiff class.
"You don't often get a big event like this on home waters," Burling said at the boat park while his crew Tuke added "Six months out from the Olympic Games we are really motivated to try and win another gold medal for our country."
The 49er and Nacra 17 Classes have brought onboard our host broadcaster, SidelineApp, to bring you almost all of the action. Three of the four course areas have live streams so that almost all of the racing is covered.
The World Championship broadcast package is available for €14.95 and any profits will go back to the organising club, to sink back into your sport.
Let your family and friends know and if they are northern hemisphere based they can also catch you in action on the replays that will remain on the website 49er.org/live